Accused killer and ex-Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez told Bristol County correction officers examining his heavily tattooed torso for telltale gang signs that he has never been a member of any street gang, Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson told the Herald.
“He talked to our gang investigators and said he didn’t have any involvement,” Hodgson said yesterday, adding that his gang unit is still investigating the matter.
“We always take extra precautions. We don’t have any definite issues at this point, but we’re still being very cautious,” Hodgson said.
Hernandez, 23, has been behind bars in Hodgson’s Dartmouth jail since last Wednesday, when he was charged with orchestrating the execution-style killing of Odin L. Lloyd, 27, of Dorchester. Lloyd, who had been Hernandez’s friend, upset the grid star by chatting with people Hernandez “had troubles with” at a Boston nightclub, prosecutors said.
Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to murder and illegal gun possession charges. He is being held without bail until his next court date, late this month.
Hodgson told the Herald last week officers would inspect Hernandez’s extensive body ink to ensure that there were no gang markings that might put him in conflict with gang-affiliated inmates.
“The review of his tattoos is a normal process, and we haven’t reached any definitive conclusions,” Hodgson added.
Hodgson said that so far, Hernandez has been a model inmate.
“He’s been very polite, very respectful. He doesn’t seem nervous, which is unusual for someone who’s never been incarcerated before,” he said. “He now has three hours out of his cell each day. That’s an hour outside, by himself, an hour to shower and make phone calls, and another hour to see visitors.”
Still, corrections officers are keeping a close eye on Hernandez, who lost his $40 million Patriots contract immediately after his arrest.